Region 11 Policies and Procedures Flashcards
What is the definition of an MVI?
MVI (Multiple Victim incidents) is defined as three or more patients in the absence of an EMS plan.
What are the two types of radio reports?
Routine and Detailed
How many parts does the routine radio report have? What are they?
Five. unit & number; age & sex; chief complaint; “routine SMO’s followed”; destination & ETA
When should a detailed radio report be given?
Under the following circumstances: abnormal vital signs per policy; deviations from SMO’s; upgrades/escalations; all transports to specialty centers; unusual circumstances
What is the content outline for the detailed radio report?
routine report information; vital signs; history; allergies; pertinent physical findings; treatment initiated; patient response to treatment/reassessment; destination & ETA
EMSMD?
Emergency Medical Service Medical Director
What equipment is necessary when making initial contact with the pt?
quick response bag, stairchair, AED, Oxygen
ALS care should be initiated according to what vital signs and circumstances?
Signs: irregular pulse or a pulse rate under 60 or over 110; irregular respiration or a respiration rate under 10 or over 24; systolic BP less than 100 or over 180; diastolic BP over 110; and Pulse Ox under 95%
Circumstances: AMS/unresponsive; cardiac emergencies; seizures/postictal state; suspected stroke or TIA; syncope; SOB/difficulty breathing; pregnancy complications or childbirth; GI bleeding; multiple system trauma; penetrating trauma; overdose/poisoning; burns >10%
Never discontinue care once it has been initiated unless…
Resource/Associate Hospital grants approval or if care is transfer is transferred to higher level personnel
Nine circumstances when resuscitation should be withheld.
decapitation, rigor mortis w/o hypothermia, lividity, tissue decomposition/putrefaction, mummification, frozen state, incineration, pt declared dead by physician, adult trauma where there is a trauma-related lethal mechanism of injury and the pt is asystolic
Resuscitation should be withheld when there is adult trauma, where there is a trauma-related MOI and the pt is asystolic except in the following five scenarios…
drowning/strangulation; lightening strike or electrocution; situations involving hypothermia; pts with visible pregnancy; medical conditions as the likely cause of cardiac arrest
If patient’s status is unclear and the appropriateness of CPR is questionable, what should be done?
initiate CPR and contact the base station for further directions
Who should be notified when resuscitation is withheld?
base station and CPD
Is resuscitation is withheld, what should the pt disposition be?
Transfer to CPD
What are the four circumstances when resuscitation should be terminated?
effective spontaneous circulation and ventilation is restored; resuscitation efforts have been transferred to other of equal or greater training; exhaustion and physically unable; direct order from a base station physician
What is the procedure for CPR termination?
A) confirm that victim is an adult, normothermic, and in nontraumatic cardiac arrest
B) confirm the initial presenting cardiac rhythm is asystole or pulseless electrical activity (PEA)
C) confirm adequate ventilation
D) notify base station
E) request termination of CPR order from Medical Control
F) Transport to appropriate receiving hospital
In what cases does the agent, having a “power of attorney for health care”, not have authority?
If the patient is alert and able to communicate before treatment is initiated and such treatment continues even if patient becomes unable to communicate with you.
Procedure for an agent with the power of attorney to make medical decisions for the patient:
1) begin treatment
2) notify medical control and keep medical control advised, and follow orders from medical control physician
3) ask for power of attorney form and examine it, and review to see what medical authority has been given to the agent, listen to agent unless medical control says otherwise
4) if there is any doubt or communication with medical control cannot be established, continue treatment
How should one respond to living wills and patient surrogates?
Do not follow the instructions from the living will or from the surrogate unless instructed otherwise by medical control.
What information should the DNR contain?
pt name, name and signature of attending physician, effective date, “Do Not Resuscitatie” or DNR, either signature of pt/legal guardian/power of attorney/surrogate decision maker
What is the DNR procedure?
verify the order, verify identity of the pt, contact medical control (follow medical control orders ALWAYS), if order is valid and medical control does not say otherwise then follow the DNR terms and record as much info from the DNR, treat the pt and transport if the validity of the DNR is dubious
What can conscious, competent pts consent to/refuse?
They can consent to: no, some, or all care, and consent to/refuse transport.
Besides encouraging the pt to receive medical attention, what else should one do when handling a refusal?
Inform the pt of the risks involved and document the attempts. Pt must also sign the refusal and two witnesses should also sign the refusal. One witness may be the EMT or Paramedic. Refusals must be called in and documented with the resource/associate hospital.
What should be done in the event that the pt refuses to sign?
Find a family member or bystander to witness and sign.
What is the procedure for caring for an incompetent patient?
Identify yourself, and attempt to gain pt’s confidence and initiate care. Consider and evaluate the pt’s decision-making capability, and the causes of the pt’s incompetence. Attempt to initiate Tx and transport (avoid danger and obtain cooperation through conventional means). If pt resists: call police or fire department as backup, contact the resource/associate hospital as needed, use reasonable force, and consider waiving initiating assessment and pt care if it is much more favorable to transport.
What are some causes of incompetence?
hypoglycemia, hypoxia, hypotension, stroke/CVA, head trauma, drugs & alcohol, postictal states/seizures, electrolyte imbalance, infections, dementia, psychiatric/behavorial emergencies.
In Illinois, a minor can be considered as an adult in what situations?
If the minor is emancipated, married, pregnant, a parent, or a member of the U.S. armed services.
Parental or guardian consent is not required for pts over 12 with what issues?
mental health, sexually transmitted diseases, sexual abuse/assault, alcohol or drug abuse.
Whose consent is needed for a refusal of service for minors?
Parental or guardian consent.
If parent or guardian is not present to consent or refuse, what should be done?
Advise the pt of the illness/injury and explain the need for further evaluation by a physician.
Contact the Resource/Associate hospital and inform them of the situation.
Administer appropriate care and request police assistance if necessary.
In the case that three or more pts refuse care, what should be done?
complete the Chicago EMS Multiple Victim Release Form I
In the case that three or more pts refuse to sign a refusal, what should be done?
complete the Chicago EMS Multiple Victim Release Form II
What other form should be complete with Multiple Victim Release Forms?
One pt care report/ MICU form per incident
What are the three categories for situations of a report of suspicious illnesses at a school facility?
1) Victims with actual exposure and one or more children having complaints of illness and/or illness
2) Victims with potential exposure/actual exposure and no complaints
3) Victims with no direct exposure and/or complaints
When dealing with victims with actual exposure and children with complaints, what should be the procedure?
Category I.
1) Assess and treat according to SMOs and complete PCRs
2) When victims have no complaints, contact medical oversight at the resource hospital and school reps will assume custody of the children
When dealing with victims with potential exposure/actual exposure and no complaints, what should be the procedure?
Category II.
1) Contact medical oversight at the resource hospital
2) school reps will gain custody of the children
When dealing with victims with no exposure and/or complaints, what should be the procedure?
Category III.
1) Contact medical oversight at the resource hospital
2) school reps will gain custody of the children
What are the three categories for a motor vehicle crash involving a school bus?
Category I: significant MOI where children have injuries
Category II: no MOI causing significant injuries. Victims may have minor injuries
Category III: no MOI causing injuries and victims have no complaints
If there is a significant MOI and the children report injuries, what should be the procedure?
Category I.
1) Treat injured victims according to the SMOs and complete PCRs.
2) if there are victims with no injuries, contact medical control to get approval to release children to school reps or bus driver.